Unifikacja, modernizacja, opresja. Przemiany aparatu administracyjnego II Rzeczypospolitej

The creation of Polish public administration after regaining independence was characterized by two attributes –continuation (in the legal and organizational aspect) and novelty (personal aspect). At the beginning the process of modernization was uncoordinated, but this changed after the coup d’état. The Great Depression interfered with it, but after 1935 reforms proceeded in the same direction, for the most part. Similarly, the unification process was uncoordinated, gradually becoming more structured and rapid after 1926. Finally, serious changes of voivodship borders were made just before WWII. At the same time, we can observe the growing oppression of the administration, even though it was already detectable in the democratic period, it became stronger and more widespread when Józef Piłsudski’s camp took power. It manifested through physical violence, censorship, and the surveillance of opposition. It reflected not only the ways of the undemocratic government but was also associated with the brutalization of social habits and with the threats to internal security.